Zip-fastener

ABSTRACT

A zip-fastener having a plurality of synthetic-resin or lightmetal interlocking members injected or die-cast into a mushroomlike configuration which consists of a head with a semicircular periphery, a stem with a lower end extended to be wider than the head and an upper end falling within lines to pass the outermost both of stem lower end and of head, and a neck intermediate the head and the stem, so that the adjacent stems may touch each other before their necks touch the opposite head when the fastener is closed and flexed.

[ June 3, 1975 24/205 l3 R 24/205.l3 R 4/1970 Burbank....................... 24/205 13 R 3 055,069 9/1962 Morin 3,330,013 7/l967 Morm 3,508,304

[ ZlP-FASTENER [75] Inventor: Kiyoo Murata, Kyoto, Japan [73] Assignee: New Japan Slide Fastener Mfg. Co.,

Ltd., Japan Primary ExaminerBernard A. Gelak [22] Filed, Nov 27 1973 Attorney, Agent, or FirmGeorge B. Oujevolk [57] ABSTRACT A zip-fastener having a plurality of synthetic-resin or light- Appl. No.: 419,188

metal interlocking members injected or die-cast into a mushroom-like configuration which consists of a head with a semicircular periphery, a stem with a 47 R M5 110 2,...0 MM; 2A. R m

4 u. 2 mm mmh c "Hr a e S L .f C .M .m UI .F HUN 555 v lower end extended to be wider than the head and an References C'ted upper end falling within lines to pass the outermost UNITED STATES PATENTS both of stem lower end and of head, and a neck intermediate the head and the stem, so that the adjacent stems may touch each other before their necks touch the opposite head when the fastener is closed and 3 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures Pmsmamuua ms 3.886534 (A) (40000000 N WOO-O7 ZIP-FAS'IENER The present invention relates to improvements in zipfastencrs with interlocking members made by injection of synthetic resin or die-casting of light metal.

Conventionally a Zip-fastener of this kind comprises a pair of opposed cloth tapes. a pair of cloth stringers fixed along the opposed two edges of cloth tapes. a plurality of synthetic-resin or light-metal interlocking members set on the stringers at regular intervals. and a slide piece to be pulled between them to unite or separate them. in other words. to close or open the fastener. The interlocking members are generally injected or cast into rather a primitive mushroom-like or other similar configuration.

Since they are made by injection of synthetic resin or die-casting of light metal, the interlocking members will be considerably bulky and rigid. and therefore usually set on the stringers at such large intervals that the fastener may have a good flexibility. However, the primitive configuration and large intervals of interlocking members will result not only in providing a poor flexibility to the fastener when closed. but also in loosening the interlocking of fastener if it is tried to flex the fastener more than the given flexibility.

A main object of the invention is to provide a good flexibility to a Zip-fastener even when closed.

Another main object of the invention is to tighten the interlocking of zip-fastener if it is tried to flex the fastener more than a given flexibility when closed.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged plan view of a zip-fastener. in part, embodying the invention, when it is closed;

FIG. 2 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of another embodiment. in part, of the invention. when it is closed;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 6-6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows the fastener in FIG. 3, when it is flexed;

FIG. 8 shows the fastener in FIG. 6. when it is flexed;

FIG. 9 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line 9-9 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line 10-10 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of a conventional zip-fastener in part;

FIG. 12 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 12-12 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows the fastener in FIG. 12, when it is flexed;

FIG. 14 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line 14-14 in FIG. 13'.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged plan view of another embodiment. in part, of the invention;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged plan view of another embodiment. in part. of the invention.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged plan view of another embodiment. in part. of the invention;

FIG. 18 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line 18-18 in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 19-19 in FIG. 17'.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged plan view of still another embodiment. in part. of the invention; and

FIG. 21 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line 21-21 in FIG. 20.

Referring to FIGS. 11 to 14, the conventional zipfastener comprises a pair of opposed cloth tapes 70, a pair of cloth stringers 71 fixed along the two opposed edges of cloth tapes 70, a plurality of interlocking members 30a set on the stringers 71 at regular intervals S. and a slide piece (not shown) to be pulled between the interlocking members 30a to open or close the fastener. The interlocking members 30a are made by injection of synthetic resin or die-casting of light metal into a mushroom-like configuration as best shown in FIG. 11.

The mushroom-like interlocking member 30a consists of a head 320. a neck 33a and a stem 31a. The head 32a is provided with a groove in the center. The neck 33a is provided with a pair of wings at both sides. The stem 31a is fixed to the stringer 71. The stem 31a is provided with angular corners numbered as 36a in FIG. 13.

In case the fastener is closed. the interlocking members 30a have the heads 32a and the opposite necks 33a interlocked, respectively, as best shown in FIG. 11. In this case. the side wings of each neck 33a are engaged with the central grooves of the opposite heads 32a in an inserted relation, respectively. as best shown in FIG. 12.

The form of head 32a is such that it is substantially a pair of rectangles or other similar angular matters in plan view. arranged oppositely at both sides of the central groove, as best shown in FIG. 12.

The proportion of interlocking member 300 is such that the width Al of stem 31a is almost same as the width B1 of head 320 as shown in FIG. 11.

The interval S between two adjacent interlocking members 30a is given as large as possible to provide a good flexibility to the fastener. And the interval is so large that their stems 31a cannot touch each other before their necks 33a touch the opposite head 3211 when the fastener is closed and flexed as shown in FIG. 13.

When the above-described conventional fastener is closed and flexed as shown in FIG. 13, two adjacent necks 33a will touch the angular corners of the opposite head 32u long before the adjacent angular corners 36a of their stems 31a touch each other. Then the necks 33a and the opposite heads 32a will be blocked with each other in an arching relation, and the fastener cannot be flexed any more, as shown in FIG. 13. Since the blocking of necks 33a and heads 32a occurs long before the stems 31a touch each other. the flexibility of fastener will be limited unduly, in other words, the fastener will have a poor flexibility when closed.

As explained above. the fastener will get to the maximum flection when the necks 33a touch the opposite heads 32, respectively. In this state, the adjacent angular corners 36a of stems 31a will not yet have touched each other. If it is tried to flex the fastener more for instance by compressing it with fingers. the cloth stringers 71 which are fixed to the stems 31a will be tensed and take the stems 31a together concentrically until the adjacent angular corners 36a of stems 31a touch each other. The concentrical movement of stems 310 at one end will naturally take the heads 32a apart eccentrically at the other end, thus loosening the interlocking of fastener as shown in FIG. 14.

Therefore it can be said that the above-described conventional fastener not only has a poor flexibility when closed, but also gets the interlocking loosened if it is tried to flex the fastener over the given flexibility.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7 & 9 the zip-fastener embodying the invention comprises a pair of opposed cloth tapes 70, a pair of cloth stringers 71 fixed along the two opposed edges of cloth tapes 70, a plurality of interlocking members 30 set or anchored on the stringers 71 at regular intervals, and a slide piece (not shown) to be pulled between the interlocking members 30 to open or close the fastener. The interlocking members 30 are made by injection of synthetic resin or diecasting of light metal into a mushroom-like configuration as best shown in FIG. 1.

The mushroom-like interlocking member 30 consists of a head 32, a neck 33 and a stem 31. The head 32 is provided with a groove 34 in the center. The neck 33 is provided with a pair of wings 35 at both sides. The stem 31 is provided with a pair of shoulders 36 on both sides of the upper end and a pair of skirts 38 at both sides of the lower or terminal end. The middle portion of stem 31 is fixed to the stringer 71.

In case the fastener is closed, the interlocking members 30 have the heads 32 and the opposite necks 33 interlocked, respectively, as best shown in FIG. 1. In this case, the side wings 35 of each neck 33 are engaged with the central grooves 34 of the opposite heads 32 in an inserted relation, respectively, as best shown in FIG.

The form of head 32 is such that it is substantially a pair of semicircles or other similar circular matters in plan view, arranged oppositely at both sides of the central groove 34, as best shown in FIG. 3.

The proportion of interlocking member 30 is such that the distance A between the widest portion or outermost ends a of skirts 38 is substantially larger than the distance B between the widest portion or outermost ends b of head 32 in FIG. 1, and that the remaining portion of the stern including shoulders 36 fall within imaginary lines which pass a and b in FIG. 1.

The interval between two adjacent interlocking members 30 is given so small that their adjacent skirts 38 can touch each other before their necks'33 touch the opposite head 32 when the fastener is closed and flexed as shown in FIG. 7. But the interval is large enough to provide a good flexibility to the fastener at least when it is opened.

When the above-described fastener embodying the invention is closed and flexed as shown in FIG. 7, two adjacent necks 33 will not touch the circular periphery of the opposite head 32 before their adjacent skirts 38 touch each other. Thus the necks 33 and the opposite heads 32 will not be blocked with each other at all and the fastener can be flexed until the adjacent skirts 38 touch each other. as shown in FIG. 7. Since the fastener can be flexed without blocking until the adjacent skirts 38 touch each other. the flexibility of fastener will not be limited unduly, in other words. the fastener will have a good flexibility when closed.

As explained above, the fastener will get to the maximum flection when the adjacent skirts 38 touch each other. In this state, the necks 33 will not yet have touched the opposite heads 32, respectively. If it is tried to flex the fastener more for instance by compressing it with fingers, the cloth stringers 71 which are fixed to the middle portions of stems 31 will be tensed and take the heads 32 together concentrically until the necks 33 touch the opposite heads 32, respectively, thus tightening the interlocking of fastener as shown in FIG. 9. The concentrical movement of heads 32 at one end will naturally take the skirts 38 apart eccentrically at the other end, but this will not loosen the interlocking of fastener at all, as shown in FIG. 9.

Since they respectively fall within the lines in FIG. 1, the adjacant shoulders 36 will not touch each other before their skirts 38 touch each other when the fastener is closed and flexed. Thus the adjacent shoulders 36 will not yet have touched each other when the fastener gets to the maximum flection. And this will make it possible for the cloth stringers 71 to take the heads 32 together concentrically when they are tensed to try to flex the fastener over the maximum flection as described above.

Should the adjacent shoulders 36 touch each other before their skirts 38 touch each other, the cloth stringers 71 would take the skirts 38 together concentrically when they are tensed to try to flex the fastener more after the adjacent shoulders 36 touch each other. because the cloth stringers 71 are fixed to the middle portions intermediate shoulders 36 and skirts 38 of stems 31. And the concentrical movement of skirts 38 at one end would naturally take the heads 32 apart eccentrically at the other end. thus loosening the interlocking of fastener, just like the case of the conventional fastener as shown in FIG. 14.

It can therefore be said that the above-described fastener embodying the invention not only has a good flexibility even when closed. but also gets the interlocking tightened if it is tried to flex the fastener over the given flexibility.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 8 & 10 is provided with a simpler construction than the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7 & 9.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 8 & 10, the embodiment comprises a pair of opposed cloth tapes 70, a pair of cloth stringers 71 fixed along the two opposed edges of tapes 70, a plurality of interlocking members 40 set on the stringers 71 at regular intervals, and a slide piece (not shown) to be pulled between the interlocking members 40 to open or close the fastener. The interlocking members 40 are made by injection of synthetic resin or die-casting of light metal into a configuration like a twin mushroom as best shown in FIG. 4.

The interlocking member 40 consists of a head 42, a neck 43 and a stem 41. The stem 41 is provided with a pair of shoulders 46 on both sides of the upper end and a pair of skirts 48 at both sides of the lower end. The middle portion of stem 41 is fixed to the stringer 71. The twin configuration of interlocking member 40 provides itself with a pair of wings extending from head 42 to skirt 48 all along its both sides.

In case the fastener is closed. the interlocking members 40 have the heads 42 and the opposite necks 43 interlocked, respectively-as best shown in FIG. 4. In this case. those parts of side wings which extend along each neck 43 are respectively engaged. in an overlapping relation. with those parts of side wings which extend along the opposite heads 42. as best shown in FIG. 6.

The form of head 42 is such that it is substantially a pair of semicircles or other similar circular matters in plan view, arranged oppositely in an directly connected relation as best shown in FIG. 6.

The proportion of interlocking member 40 is such that the distance A between the outermost ends a of skirts 48 is substantially larger than the distance B between the outermost ends b of head 42 in FIG. 4, and that the shoulders 46 fall within imaginary lines 0 which pass a and b in FIG. 4.

The interval between two adjacent interlocking members 40 is given so small that their adjacent skirts 48 can touch each other before their necks 43 touch the opposite head 42 when the fastener is closed and flexed as shown in FIG. 8. But the interval is large enough to provide a good flexibility to the fastener at least when it is opened.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 8 & 10 will function quite similarly to the preceding embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7 & 9. Thus it not only has a good flexibility even when closed. but also gets the interlocking tightened if it is tried to flex the fastener over the given flexibility, quite similarly to the preceding embodiment.

The embodiment shown in FIG. is a modification of the preceding embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7 & 9. Like numbers indicate like members.

In Fig. 15 the stem 31 of interlocking member has its both sides tapered and is not provided with skirts unlike FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7 & 9. Accordingly, the distance A between the lower outermost ends a of stem 31 is substantially larger than the distance B between the outer most ends b of head 32, and the shoulders 36 fall within imaginary lines 0 which pass a and b. The taper of stem 31 is defined by the lines c.

In all the other aspects the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 is constructed quite similarly to the preceding embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7 & 9.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 16 is a modification of the preceding embodiment shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 8 & 10. Like numbers indicate like members.

In FIG. 16 the stem 41 ofinterlocking member 40 has its both sides tapered and is not provided with skirts unlike FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 8 & 10. Accordingly, the distance A between the lower outermost ends a of stem 41 is substantially larger than the distance B between the outermost ends I; of head 42, and the shoulders 46 fall within imaginary lines 0 which pass a and b. The taper of stem 41 is defined by the lines c.

In all the other aspects the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 is constructed quite similarly to the preceding embodiment shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 8 8: 10.

The modifications shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 will function quite similarly to the preceding embodiments. respectively. Moreover, the tapered stems 3] & 41 will not only simplify the construction but also improve the looking of fastener considerably.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 17, I8 & 19 is a modification of the preceding embodiments shown in FIGS. 15 81 16. Like numbers indicate like members.

In FIGS. l7, l8 & 19 the interlocking member is numbered as 50. It is made into a configuration like a couple of half-mushroom and half-block as best shown in FIG. 17. It has a head 52 and a neck 53 which are attributed to the half-mushroom configuration. The neck 53 is combined with a pair of side wings attributed to the half-block configuration The form of head 52 is such that it is substantially a semicircle or other similar circular matters in plan view. and is provided with a plain rear surface, as best shown in FIG. 19.

In case the fastener is closed, the interlocking members 50 have the heads 52 and the opposite necks 53 interlocked, respectively. as best shown in FIG. 17. In this case. the side wings of each neck 53 are engaged with the rear surfaces of the opposite heads 52 in an overlapping relation, respectively, as best shown in FIG. 19.

In all the other aspects the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17, 18 & 19 is constructed quite similarly to the preceding embodiments shown in FIGS. 15 & 16.

The modification shown in FIGS. 17, 18 & 19 will function quite similarly to the preceding embodiments. Moreover, the couple configuration will simplify the construction of fastener considerably.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 & 21 is a modification of the preceding embodiment shown in FIGS. l7, l8 & 19.

In FIGS. 20 & 21, the interlocking members, cloth tapes and cloth stringers are numbered as 60, a and 71a, respectively. The clot-h tapes 70a overlap themselves at the two opposed edges. respectively. The cloth stringers 71a are set along the overlapped edges of cloth tapes 700.

In all the other aspects the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 & 21 is constructed quite similarly to the preceding embodiment shown in FIGS. 17, 18 & 19.

The modification shown in FIGS. 20 & 21 will function quite similarly to the preceding embodiment. Moreover the overlapping edges of cloth tapes 70a will make it possible to close the fastener more tightly and firmly.

It will be understood that further modifications may be made in the construction of the above shown embodiments, and that the invention is in no way limited to the shown embodiments.

What is claimed is:

1. A zip-fastener comprising a pair of cloth tapes in an opposed relation. a pair of cloth stringers fixed along the two opposed edges of said cloth tapes, a plurality of interlocking members anchored on said stringers at regular intervals, and a slide piece to be pulled between said interlocking members to open and close the fastener; said interlocking members consisting of a head, a neck adjacent said head and a stem adjacent said neck, said head having two generally semicircular portions on opposed sides of the plane of the tape, said head and said neck having engaging means for interlocking with the necks and heads of adjacent opposed interlocking members when the fastener is closed, the terminal portion of the anchoring end of said stem being wider than the remaining portion of said stem and wider than said head. said remaining portion of said stem falling within imaginary lines drawn between the terminal portion of said anchoring end and the widest portion of said head, said intervals between two adjacent interlocking members being such that the adjacent terminal ends of their stems touch each other before their necks touch an adjacent head of an opposed interlocking member when the fastener is closed and flexed.

2. The zip-fastener of claim 1 in which the terminal end of said stem has a skirt which extends outwardly from both sides thereof.

3. The Zip-fastener of claim 1 in which both sides of said stem are tapered at a taper substantially parallel to said imaginary lines. 

1. A zip-fastener comprising a pair of cloth tapes in an opposed relation, a pair of cloth stringers fixed along the two opposed edges of said cloth tapes, a plurality of interlocking members anchored on said stringers at regular intervals, and a slide piece to be pulled between said interlocking members to open and close the fastener; said interlocking members consisting of a head, a neck adjacent said head and a stem adjacent said neck, said head having two generally semicircular portions on opposed sides of the plane of the tape, said head and said neck having engaging means for interlocking with the necks and heads of adjacent opposed interlocking members when the fastener is closed, the terminal portion of the anchoring end of said stem being wider than the remaining portion of said stem and wider than said head, said remaining portion of said stem falling within imaginary lines drawn between the terminal portion of said anchoring end and the widest portion of said head, said intervals between two adjacent interlocking members being such that the adjacent terminal ends of their stems touch each other before their necks touch an adjacent head of an opposed interlocking member when the fastener is closed and flexed.
 1. A zip-fastener comprising a pair of cloth tapes in an opposed relation, a pair of cloth stringers fixed along the two opposed edges of said cloth tapes, a plurality of interlocking members anchored on said stringers at regular intervals, and a slide piece to be pulled between said interlocking members to open and close the fastener; said interlocking members consisting of a head, a neck adjacent said head and a stem adjacent said neck, said head having two generally semicircular portions on opposed sides of the plane of the tape, said head and said neck having engaging means for interlocking with the necks and heads of adjacent opposed interlocking members when the fastener is closed, the terminal portion of the anchoring end of said stem being wider than the remaining portion of said stem and wider than said head, said remaining portion of said stem falling within imaginary lines drawn between the terminal portion of said anchoring end and the widest portion of said head, said intervals between two adjacent interlocking members being such that the adjacent terminal ends of their stems touch each other before their necks touch an adjacent head of an opposed interlocking member when the fastener is closed and flexed.
 2. The zip-fastener of claim 1 in which the terminal end of said stem has a skirt which extends outwardly from both sides thereof. 